Everyone has their dream car and usually it's not very practical to use as a daily driver. Mine is an Audi RS4 Cabriolet. However, since my left leg would probably fall off from driving it in Atlanta's bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go rush-hour traffic, I'd also need an A4 Cab with an automatic for everyday use. However, if someone told me I was limited to having only one car that would be my only way of getting around and schlepping things for the next 10 years, I'd probably pick something a bit more versatile… like, say, an A4 Avant so I could have a bit more cargo capacity. (What can I say… I like A4s!) So what about you? If you were stuck with one vehicle as your only transportation for the next ten years, what would it be and why?
94 Comments on “Question of the Day: What Would You Drive for the Next Ten Years?...”
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I’ll stick with my GTI. It does everything I need it to do, including the occasional hoonery.
I second the GTI. 4 door hatchback that hauls your belongings and hauls ass. DSG works for both the nightmare traffic in LA and the canyon roads in the mountains. Make mine black with 18″ Zuffs…
It would have to be a body an frame, 4wd vehicle. Nothing else is dependable for my transportation needs that I would want to be stuck with it as my only car.
The roads could go to hell; I could finally retire to the Rockies; civilization could collapse and I might need to get out of town; global warming may cause my area to flood, etc.
I’ll stick with my 06 xB. Roomy, fun, good on gas, can haul reasonably large items.
One vehicle for 10 years? I’d have to stick with my 06 Jeep Rubicon. While I’d like a Legacy or a Volvo, they aren’t very good at Moab.
I hate when people perpetuate the myth that manuals are impossible to drive in traffic. I drive my 6-speed Vette through Boston rush hour traffic every single day without a problem. Of course an auto would be easier in stop-and-go but the fun of a stick more than makes up for the minor inconvenience
As for a car of the next 10 years, my 2006 Corvette coupe has served me fine in the year or so I’ve owned it, and I might actually keep it for the next 9 or 10 years. There really isn’t another car anywhere near the price that I would rather be driving. The cargo room is surprisingly large, and I can take the roof off when I want. What more could I ask for? Practicality is overrated, if I need to move something, I’ll rent a Uhaul
Mark my words, in less then 10 years the automobile will be so thoroughly vilified, that your neighbours will be calling you a Nazi for owning one.
Subaru Legacy GT Spec.B, good in all seasons and reasonably sporting.
The practical side of me would buy a 07 Accord 4 cyl manual EX. I’d even buy it new because I’d have 10 years to depreciate it. Again, this is providing I’m paying for upkeep and a 3-4 year car note.
The fantasy side of me would get a 997 Turbo with overboost complete with 3 sets of rims/tires for winter/summer/spring-fall. Even the fantasy side of me has to keep it practical. Throw in the track tire trailer, too. I’m embarrassed I can’t remember the name of the trailer.
thetopdog
I hate when people perpetuate the myth that manuals are impossible to drive in traffic. I drive my 6-speed Vette through Boston rush hour traffic every single day without a problem.
Where did I say manuals were impossible to drive in traffic? If you drive a ‘Vette every day in creep-and-stop traffic and enjoy it, more power to you. However, you probably don’t have an artificial hip or a lower back held together with wires, rods and screws. Driving a 6-speed Corvette for a year-and-a-half in Atlanta traffic convinced me an automatic is the best for me in rush-hour traffic. (And yes, I set off the metal detectors at airports.)
Practicality is overrated, if I need to move something, I’ll rent a Uhaul
Nuh uh uh… I said it would be your only transportation for the next 10 years.
New (2009) Honda Fit. Doesn’t look bad, extremely versatile,decent handling, great gas mileage (ready for $10/gallon in 10 years).
997 Turbo with some mild tuning.
wait 6 months, buy a jetta tdi wagon;
Wow no renting and it’s you only car for all needs. I have been wrestling with this question for the past few months since I need to replace the POS Caddy with something and I plan to keep whatever I get for the next 10 years.
It would probably have to be that Honda Ridgeline we test drove last night. We need the utility of a truck but it drives closer to a car.
If I didn’t need something practical it would be an Alfa 8C, bet your ass I would use it as a daily driver, the longer and twistier the commute the better.
I don’t plan on moving any time soon, so I can eliminate a truck. I really like my Mazda6, and for that reason, I would probably choose a Mazdaspeed3. A little more hoonery, yet still practical with real rear seats and a hatchback. A close second would be a Porsche 911, great traditional comfortable sports car with decent trunk space.
improvement_needed:
wait 6 months, buy a jetta tdi wagon;
That was kinda my plan, too, but the current price of diesel relative to gas, the inevitable “market adjustments” on Jetta TDIs for at least the first few months and, most importantly of all, the multiple illnesses my ‘83 Mercedes is currently battling, are all conspiring against it.
Should a Jetta TDI wagon not be in the cards, a Passat 2.0T longroof would suffice.
I’d go with my Mazda6 wagon. It’s easy and entertaining enough to drive, and hauls 95% of what I’ll ever need to cart around, including large aquariums.
Should I find myself in a more urban environment, I’d probably pick the Mini Clubman S.
I am very happy with my 2002 Accord. Another 10 years should be no problem. It only has 40K mi.
I recently picked up a clean 89 BMW 325 is for a daily driver. It was cheap and the car definitely fufills my needs. It is shame rear wheel drive cars of this ilk don’t really exist anymore (within a working mans budget).
My car has 135,000 and I plan on driving it till the wheels fall off. It is truly a modern classic!
I’m with Bytor. I recently tried to talk the girlfriend out of the Impreza and into the Fit. It didn’t work, which is fine because the Impreza is great, but the gas costs hurt already. I hate to think what a fill up will cost in ten years.
Of course, the Subie is a lot cooler for those “the hardest part of the Zombie apocalypse will be pretending I’m not excited” fantasies.
If it’s the ONLY car for EVERYTHING? Dang, bro. Let us rent a U-Haul!
If you have to have enough space for a potential family (probably will be at least close to a kid at 31), enough space to move your stuff from place to place (as a soon-to-graduate college student needs to do), a reliable enough vehicle to not cause you ten years of financial misery, with a nice enough blend of economy and performance to balance the pain of ballooning gas prices with the pleasure of driving, then that really narrows the list down!
The Dodge Magnum would have been alright, save for reliability, but it’s not around anymore. Taurus X fits pretty much all the bill except it’s dreadfully boring.
To be honest, the Mazda5 might not be a bad choice (though i couldn’t find TTAC’s review to see what you guys thought). It’s 3-sized with a 3-sized price, fuel economy better than my Sable with more funcitonality, and a decent amount of performance for what it is. Reliable, to boot.
Of course, that’s thinking thrifty. If price is no object, go big or go home, baby. Give me an SUV that can do anything.
I bought a Protege5 in ‘03 and it is going on five years of ownership this Summer. Other than being powered by a crappy 2.0 liter engine, it looks pretty good, is pretty darned roomy for its size, hauls most everything I need, and gets decent gas mileage. I might just keep it for another five years.
Unless Alfa Romeo really honestly and truly does re-enter the States and brings in something interesting at a reasonable price. I do kind of miss my two Alfettas and two 164s.
I’ve always loved the 911, so the 997tt would be the obvious choice. It would start everyday, resonable gas milage (when compaired to other supercars), and good looks without too much showing off.
But I couldn’t afford new tires, service or (God forbid) anything broken.
So, I’ll stick with my current ride as the best choice for 10 years. Mazdaspeed 3. Great car, super fun, and fits my needs perfectly. Last weekend I hauled fifteen 40 pound bags of soil in the car and this Saturday I’m doing a track day in the same car. So, that’s hard to beat!
Cayman
Oh, wait, the one car has to be my schlepper, too? Damn. Maybe a Civic. Maybe a WRX if gas isn’t a problem.
I can’t even imagine only having one car in the next ten years. The premise of the question is pretty depressing.
Ten years ago, I answered that question with a six-year-old Thunderbird. But the T-Bird is showing its age, and I’m searching for the next answer to that question.
Unfortunately, affordable RWD coupes are pretty rare these days.
If it was one vehicle for everything, it’d have to be a Ranger, because it’s a near certainty that I’m going to move (probably very soon), but the Ranger isn’t nearly as thirsty or as unpleasant to drive as a big pickup (or a van.) More realistically, I’m looking at the current crop of sedans in the small to middling class – Mazda3, Civic, Fusion. But if I find a Thunderchicken that Grandma only drove to church and bingo…
The way the economy is going, probably the thing I’ve been driving for the last 15 years……
John
I want a 2 seater, open topped, Diesel-powered commuter car. A TDI-powered Audi TT would fit the bill. So would an Alfa Romeo Spider JTDM.
I don’t need to haul stuff, other than my ass to work every day. I want a Diesel because I make my own fuel. I want a 2 seater because my kids are about to go off to college… and I never use the back seat of my current car (a VW Jetta TDI) anyway… except to carry my laptop bag. I want a convertible because I love to go topless when the sun shines. It doesn’t matter if it is below freezing, if the sky is blue, my top would be down.
Ideally the car would be small and lightweight, so it would get outrageous fuel economy. If I could stuff a VW 1.9 TDI into a Lotus Elise I bet it would get 70+ MPG… even with the foot to the floor.
–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
I would definitely take my one of my 2 current dream cars, both practical and sporty. Acura TL -S or the Mitsubishi Evo X or IX. 4 doors = practical, powerful = fun, japanese = reliable. and I’m good to go.
For me, it would be a Jaguar. I’m waiting for the next 3 years to pick up the new model XK on the used car market (Jaguars can’t hold their value) or failing that, I’ll buy a brand new diesel X-Type. Economy, power, luxury and practicality.
But, if all of that falls through, I’m just as happy with my little Toyota Yaris. She’s my little workhorse and doesn’t know when to quit. :O)
I’m two years into an expected decade with a Cadillac XLR-V, unless I get seduced by a 2010 Caddy CT_-V Coupe. But my wife has a four door. And historically, I add a utility vehicle. If it has to be just one vehicle for all needs for the next ten years, no augmenting of the fleet, then an F150 or GMC Denali quad-cab short-bed pickup, V8 of course or perhaps with 2Mode hybrid powertrain. A homeowner is going to have to move something too large for a car, now and then, or transport a visiting family and their stuff from and to the airport. An open bed with 5 passenger comfort is the only vehicle type that meets every anticipated need on a decade-out horizon.
Phil
Too bad there aren’t any efficient high-end choices in the USA. Most of us will really appreciate 40+ MPG efficiency when gasoline and diesel are $7/gallon.
I hate when people perpetuate the myth that manuals are impossible to drive in traffic. I drive my 6-speed Vette through Boston rush hour traffic every single day without a problem.
How does Boston traffic compare to LA downtown? Or even the 5/405/101/10/110 “free”-ways anywhere near rush hour? It’s literally STOP and go here, no dawdling around in 1st or 2nd gear, since the asshats here accelerate and brake hard, and cut you off if you leave more than a few feet in front of you. Every time I get stuck here in my car, it’s been a top-of-the-lungs cuss-fest: f***ing a**hole, what the f*** is everyone doing, f*** me in the a**, etc etc.
Yes, I drive a 6-speed manual, but I live far away from civilization. That’s the price I pay for being a pistonhead.
As for the car choice, I’d take a GTI 4 door DSG, assuming the trick transmission and turbo hold up well enough. Like J.Clarkson said, all things to all men.
At this point in my life, if I had to choose a car for the next ten years it would probably be a Dacia Logan MPV wagon with the diesel engine. No it isn’t any fantasy of mine, but it is a car that I know that I would be able to afford on the long run and would probably pretty reliable and cheap to fix.
Pretty much all other cars are fancier and have more creature comforts. But this thing would likely serve my needs and not cost too much. 14K optioned out won’t break the bank. It’s big enough for the kids to come (7 seat option) and no worries about them degrading it, it comes pre-ugly. The mileage is in the high 50mpg, so if oil goes to $500 per barrel in 10 years, it won’t hurt so much.
Basically, I don’t figure that I’ll become rich, so I might as well be sensible…
I’d totally take a Subaru Forester XT. Practical, 4WD, and goes like stink. I’ve never actually driven one but I can’t imagine not liking it because of its mix of performance, practicality, and its potential for utilitarianism and soft offroading (something I haven’t ever gotten into but I would probably enjoy it).
Besides that, I’d take a Vette. Almost any model except a C4 (unless it’s the original ZR-1).
BTW this is actually something I am doing in the next 1-2 years. I am looking to replace my 1999 Ford ZX2 (bought new in 99), I bought it because it was cheap and there was a grad discount that made it even cheaper, it was my first new car and no way did I plan on having it 10 years(I wish I could go back and change it now). Then the tech boom busted and I lost a ton of cash and thoughts of new cars went out the window and I was stuck with my stopgap car.
This time I will actually plan on driving the next one for 10 years. So my choice is actually what I am planning to buy with my money and probably drive for the next 10 years.
As in previous post, my leading contender is:
2009+ Honda Fit. (Always a great/thrifty/fun/reliable/versatile small car, now much less ugly).
Other possibilities:
Jetta wagon/Rabbit clean diesel. (not a huge diesel fan but willing to give it a shot)
Honda CRZ: If this really follows in the CRX template and offers great gas mileage with good performance (and manual transmission) it might be a possible.
Honda New small hybrid: Hondas as yet unamed prius fighter. Low chance of manual transmission though.
Mazda MX-5 RHT. Screw carrying space, this would be my second mx-5 (had a used 91 SE), reasonable economy and great fun to drive.
Other Efficient/practical/fun/economical cars on the horizon?
E39 M5. First gear is so low and the clutch is very light, so you can creep along at 2 mph almost like an automatic. I still stare every time I see one in traffic.
Or maybe the upcoming 2009 CTS-V. Old BMW’s being used as daily drivers do not have the greatest track record.
Hmmm…perhaps an RS6 Avant w/ DSG (the wife wouldn’t tolerate another manual for that long) if it wasn’t for the cost of fuel.
Probably a WRX Wagon…with a piggy back ECU I can tune for fuel mileage and hoonery. The old lady will just have to deal with the 5 speed.
I hope one day to have a real career of some sort so I’m going to say a Chevy Silverado 2500HD. I’ll need something that can tow a trailer or haul a camper around.
Brendino If it’s the ONLY car for EVERYTHING? Dang, bro. Let us rent a U-Haul!
Ah, but that defeats the purpose. If you can rent a U-Haul (or passenger van or sports car or whatever) whenever you want/need it, it just comes down to "what's your favorite car to drive for the next 10 years?" But that's not the idea. How would you balance comfort, performance, utility and hoonability in one vehicle that you can live with? Doing that will probably take you somewhere other than just "what's my favorite?"
Probably a BMW 3-series coupe, something around 5 years old. I currently have a ‘93, and it’s generally been very reliable and of course, fun to drive.
My mom, on the other hand… keeps cars far longer than 10 years. She’s had her ‘86 Saab 9000turbo since new, and it hasn’t really had any major issues in 22 years.
Really think about it guys. A Jeep Rubicon. The best of all worlds.
A daily driver that needs to last ten years? On my own dime?
That would have to be a Lexus IS. Not because it’s my favorite sports sedan, but because it’s the one that you can depend on to last ten years without spending enough on it post-warranty to send your mechanic’s kid to Harvard.
The German cars offer a better driving experience, but these days, I have my doubts that you’d want a new one with the expectation of using and maintaining it for ten years.
Now that I think about it, if I really wanted something that would run for 10 years without the wheels falling off, it’d be my first car: a 1985 Mercedes 300D. Given that it’s survived the first 23 years of existence, losing only the odometer and the air conditioning, another 10 is just small change.
I spent 10 months renovating my car for the next decade. A 1988 BMW 528e. BTW, the commute into Boston is also stop and go. When my cars were 4 spds and my left knee didnt go crunch, it was OK. 25 yrs later, I prefer a slush box.
I would have to go with my current ride, E36 M3. That way I will never have to worry about hauling much of anything or anybody and I can continually modify/rebuild it and keep it fresh.
This is an interesting question. Thanks for the post. I’ve been driving a MB E320 4Matic for 7.5 years. I am ready for something new but could drive it for 2.5 more years. The car is comfortable, handles reasonably well and is fine for city driving in my opinion. I don’t haul things beyond groceries.
Mercedes E320 Bluetec. It will still drive like a new car after 10 years.
2009 Audi A4 2.0 diesel with manual, and a stripper. Quattro, winter package and no other options.
Since they wont import the 2.0 diesel to USA, for which I blame others, I will be buying the gas version of this car in Autumn or maybe next Spring. If I can resist the new TT till then.
Yes it will require more unscheduled maintenance than some other car I don’t want.
My 2002 version of this car does everything. I carry furniture and lumber in it, vacuum it and then carry nicely dressed people in it, I drive fast and its fun, I drive slow and its fun, I get overall 30 mpg in winter, 34 in summer. No show stopping maintenance events. At 90k it looks almost new, and feels almost new. Better MPG than most economy cars.
I cant believe they are holding the line on prices expressed in USD here in USA.
I’d like to drive a 1977 Plymouth Volare for the next ten years. It’s great for off-roading and yet still looks pretty cool on the highway.
It’s way more fun to drive than any Mazda, BMW or Corvette. With the three speed auto, it’s just great in heavy traffic.
Plus, chicks really dig it.